Studied Organic Chemistry at University of Karlsruhe (today KIT)
Worked for over 30 years as manager in the Fine Chemical industry (more details see in my LinkedIn account and profile); retired since early 2024
But:
Late 1970s: "started" as butterfly collector and nature enthusiast
Early 1980s: Habitat conservation becomes focus of activities
Green movement in Germany ("Naturschutzverbände") grows exponentially
1980s: Active in many conservation groups
-> Mapping of species ("Kartierung") crucial for protection
Broadening of focus from insects to plants
1984: First local "Flora and Fauna of Bruchsal area", new 1993 version with all groups covered
Significant successes in initiating many major protected areas
1990 - 2000: Heading the conservation groups of the state of Baden-Württemberg
(Landesnaturschutzverband)
since 2000: Ongoing activities in habitat conservation, protection and mapping (see www.agnus-bruchsal.com)
1993: Contributions in first major natural history book: "Hohlwege im Kraichgau"
1995: Another monograph: "Wässerwiesen" [Irrigated meadows in Nordbaden]
1997/1998: Edited and wrote two more monographs: "Der Michaelsberg" and "Das Naturschutzgebiet Frankreich"
2004: Local "Flora of Karlsruhe" first published as CD
2004: Monograph "Obstwiesen im Kraichgau"
2004: World Orchid checklist published on website (CD plan abandoned)
2005: Website "Flora von Deutschland" started for picture database of Germany, the Alps etc.
2005-2020: Data and picture collection ongoing, World Plants database completed
2010: Data exchange and collaboration with Catalogue of Life started
2010: Major revision and monograph about beetles: "Die Rüsselkäfer Baden-Württembergs" (Weevils of Baden-Württemberg) together with Joachim Rheinheimer (2nd edition 2013)
2018: The second major beetle book: "Die Blattkäfer Baden-Württembergs" (Chrysomelids of Baden-Württemberg) together with Joachim Rheinheimer, essentially covering all species of Germany. Both beetle books quickly evolved into standard works, valid in all of Europe
2020: New refurbished websites published (flora-germanica.de and worldplants.de)
2022: Publication of the 2 main volumes of Flora Germanica as printed version, setting new standards in monographs about the German flora
2024: Publication of volume 3 of Flora Germanica (Critical genera 1)
2026 (planned): Publication of the final volume 4 of Flora Germanica (Critical genera 2)